Even though he has two Super Bowl rings, there are some things Ben Roethlisberger might have done differently earlier in his career. He said that Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who opposes Roethlisberger on Sunday, could benefit from that wisdom.
It was supposed to take a little time before Wentz became the Eagles’ starting quarterback. Sam Bradford was going to start until the rookie was ready.
Then the Eagles took advantage of the opportunity to trade Bradford to the desperate Vikings for a first-round draft pick in 2017 and a fourth-rounder in 2018, and Wentz was thrust into the starting role.
That sounds an awful lot like Roethlisberger in 2004. Tommy Maddox was the so-so starting quarterback who was going to hold the job until the Steelers lost enough games to justify giving the rookie a try. Instead, Maddox was injured in Week 2. Roethlisberger went 13-0 as a starter and there hasn’t been a quarterback controversy in Pittsburgh since.
It’s only two games, but so far Wentz is on a trajectory similar to Roethlisberger’s. He’s led the Eagles to a 2-0 record. Wentz also has been Roethlisberger-like in trying to keep plays alive for as long as possible. Roethlisberger has taken a beating in his career because of that playing style.
“Well, it’s hard. Now, I understand that there’s a time and a place to sell your body out, and a time and a place to get down and get out of bounds,” Roethlisberger told the Philadelphia Daily News. “At some point, he’ll realize that it’s more important for him to be on the field than be injured and get that extra yard.”
It can be argued that there still would be only four, or maybe five, Lombardi Trophies in Pittsburgh instead of six if it weren’t for plays Roethlisberger made dodging pressure for an extra second or two. It remains to be seen, however, if the 34-year-old can remain productive into his late 30s like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees or if all the injuries will take a toll on his body. Roethlisberger has played a 16-game season just three times in his career.
Wentz, 23, is 6’5″ and 237 pounds. He’s the same height as Roethlisberger and just three pounds lighter. So he theoretically can take the punishment that Roethlisberger has taken and have a long, productive career.
But Eagles coach Doug Pederson, a former quarterback himself, is trying to get Wentz to take fewer hits. Maybe Roethlisberger’s advice will drive the point home.
